Funereal Presence – The Archer Takes Aim LP

Grotesque, strong-willed and ugly black metal from a band that revives the atmosphere and attitude of a long past but defining era of the genre. In 2009, having written 4 songs that couldn’t have been more strange and grotesque, Bestial Devotion of Negative Plane opened yet another abyss of dark abominations: recording those songs onto a demo tape and sending it to select individuals in a small edition. Raw, disturbing black metal from the deepest crypt of the utterly weird and cacophonic — channelling the influence of acts like Darkthrone and King Diamond — the love or hate characteristic of this recording became instantly obvious. The recording was rereleased by the Anja Offensive as a 10" LP, and would later be crowned by Fenriz of Darkthrone as his 'band of the week' in July 2011. 'The Archer Takes Aim' is the debut album by Funereal Presence, consisting of 4 new unconventionally long songs that remain in the mind due to their pure, unpolished approach and magic conjuring nature. This album could be a lost jewel from the early days of the 2nd wave of black metal. A time machine into the realm of the late 80s and very early 90s when bands such as Darkthrone, Emperor, Poison, Tormentor, and Master’s Hammer were authentic, visionary and malignant. 'The Archer Takes Aim' feels like an odd, obstinate relic. The production is raw and ugly, barren and minimalistic — and because of that is able to convey the cold void unto the listener. Filled with bells, organs and occasional maniacal clean vocals, ‘The Archer Takes Aim’ is for devotees of the primal, repellent black metal sound from Scandinavia. This album will reach cult status by its very own, individual kind. For fans of Darkthrone, Poison (GER), Tormentor (HUN) and Negative Plane.